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President Roosevelt reports that he is struggling to get his two treaties ratified by the Senate and has stopped his broad-sword and single-stick play in favor of riding and walking. He hopes that Billings will allow Kermit and Ted to start home Saturday evening since Roosevelt is leaving for his western tour right after the Senate adjourns.
1903-03-15
Secretary of War Taft forwards to President Roosevelt a report on General Frederick Funston’s “Memorial Day Order.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-17
John J. Wynne discusses the political views of Catholics in the United States. He praises President Roosevelt’s desire to be impartial to religion in his appointments, but worries about the anti-Catholic views of some of his appointees. Wynne wishes that Eugene A. Philbin could have attended the Fourth Annual Convention of the Federation of Catholic Societies in Detroit, and encloses a letter from one of his subscribers in Hawaii. Finally, Wynne states that he does not sympathize with the criticisms of Reverend John B. Worrall and believes that Cardinal Francesco Satolli should have been received with honor at Washington.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-24
Frederick Funston, wearing the brown uniform of the volunteer forces, leap-frogs over an officer in the regular army at the end of a long line of officers wearing the blue uniform of the regular army, each hoping to be the one who reaches Uncle Sam first and receives the promotion to the rank of “Brigadier General.” Caption: The one who “gets there” – gets the promotion.
The controversy over Frederick Funston’s promotion was typical of such elevations of regular army personnel, or volunteers-to-service corps, for instance when President Theodore Roosevelt caused Leonard Wood and John J. Pershing to skip ranks with promotions. Funston lived a life of almost soldier-of-fortune military brilliance: a volunteer with Cuban rebels before the Spanish-American War, attached to scientific expeditions in the Dakota Bad Lands and the Yukon, personally capturing the Filipino Insurrection leader Emilio Aguinaldo (in a disguise), assuming martial-law duties during the immediate aftermath of the San Francisco earthquake, and leading chases of Pancho Villa in Mexico. He was slated to be Commander of the United States Expeditionary Force in World War I, but died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 51. His subordinate John J. Pershing was tapped in his stead.
Admiral Winfield Scott Schley, Admiral George Dewey, and General Nelson Appleton Miles sit gagged on a bench. Behind them on the wall are signs saying, “To hear and not be heard–that is the question.” and “When does a man love most to hear the human voice? When he’s doing the talking himself.” General Frederick Funston shows his order to join them, “Compliments of the President,” as he walks across the room.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-04-25
An army officer is shown gagged and being insulted by various members of Congress. Cartoon is regarding Roosevelt’s gag order on General Funston.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-04-26
President Roosevelt and Secretary of War Elihu Root laugh over a “Funston” talking head machine saying things like, “Hang the traitors!”, “Fool senators,” and “You can’t gag me!” Cartoon is regarding Roosevelt’s gag order on General Frederick Funston. Caption: The Secretary of War – “Let’s send it over to the Coronation. It would amuse Cousin Edward immensely.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-04-22
President Roosevelt shoves a cork labeled “Silence Order” into the mouth of General Frederick Funston. Cartoon is regarding Roosevelt’s gag order on Funston.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-04-24
President Roosevelt is pleased to get a letter from R. W. Boone, as he is the great-great-grandson of Daniel Boone. Roosevelt is pleased that Boone likes the book, and is doing all that he can to preserve the forests that Boone mentioned in his letter. Roosevelt was not aware that Frederick Funston or Mason Mitchell were also descendants of Daniel Boone.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-02-17
President Roosevelt directs Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Labor Murray to call on General Frederick Funston and question him regarding his recent telegram to the Adjutant General of the Army Fred C. Ainsworth. Roosevelt makes this request in view of his telegram to Nevada Governor John Sparks expressing his intention to remove the troops from Goldfield, Nevada.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-17
President Roosevelt tells Acting Secretary of War Oliver to direct General Frederick Funston to send an amount of troops “adequate to meet any emergency” to quell the conflict in Goldfield, Nevada, in accordance with Governor John Sparks’s formal request.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-06
President Roosevelt returns the study to Chief of Staff General Bell. He feels there has not been enough heed paid to General Frederick Funston’s considerations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-20
President Roosevelt returns General Frederick Funston’s letter and the memorandum on the reorganization of the Chinese army to Chief of Staff Brigadier General Bell. The matters discussed in the items are very important and could be of immediate interest.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-08
President Roosevelt tells Secretary of War Taft that he has read reports that the destruction of the San Francisco earthquake has fallen especially hard on the Chinese population there, and instructs him to telegraph Edward T. Devine that the Red Cross relief work in the city must be done equally for everyone, without regard to race. Roosevelt asks if it would also be worth telegraphing General Frederick Funston the same instructions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-23
President Roosevelt gives Secretary of Commerce and Labor Metcalf a list of people to meet with in San Francisco, California, once he arrives.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-04-22
President Roosevelt explains to Senator Proctor why he chose Captain Benjamin Alvord to be promoted to Assistant Chief of the Record and Pension Office. Roosevelt personally wanted to appoint his friend John H. Parker, while Proctor suggested Eugene Frederick Ladd. However, in order to avoid the appearance of favoritism, Roosevelt asked Secretary of War William H. Taft to have the general staff evaluate all the candidates and make a recommendation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-31
President Roosevelt asks General Boynton if he knows of the Navy and Critic which has published an article by Alexander S. Bacon, a supposed colonel and West Pointer, that attacks Frederick Funston, Leonard Wood, and Roosevelt. Roosevelt asks if it is worthwhile for Boynton to send his pamphlet to “responsible” service journals.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-09-01
President Roosevelt thinks that Father Wynne’s letter is interesting and is concerned what his correspondent says about Hawaii. Roosevelt would like Eugene A. Philbin to come to Washington, D.C., in the fall and see the letter that Roosevelt has written to Bishop Rooker.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-25
A reference to the senior Senator from Massachusetts in a speech by General Funston has upset President Roosevelt and he would like Funston to cease making public statements.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-04-21
Senator Bristow believes that General Frederick Funston and General Albert Leopold Mills are more deserving of an unnamed appointment then General William W. Wotherspoon.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-12-02